speial report: mediterranean migrant trafficking · refugee agency found that 218,000 migrants...

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SPECIAL REPORT: Mediterranean Migrant Trafficking

Introduction While the illegal migration of persons from the Middle East and Africa across the Mediterranean and into Europe has occurred for decades, the number of migrants began to surge in 2011 as large-scale and persistent turmoil began setting in across the Middle East and Africa. Despite the Mediterranean being considered the world’s most dangerous crossing; the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia, subsequent Arab Spring, the overthrow of Gadhafi in Libya, and increasing levels of Islamist militant violence are just a few of the catalysts pushing the most impoverished to seek out the relative safety and stability of Europe.

Each year the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean grows and is spurred on by human traffickers with hollow promises and largely unseaworthy vessels and, who are more likely to abandon their clients in the middle of the sea than ensure their safe arrival. Illegal migration across the Mediterranean set records in 2014 and is on pace in 2015 to surpass the previous record. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated that during a single five-day period in April 2015, European maritime authorities intercepted approximately 10,000 migrants and asylum seekers traveling by boat from Libya alone. As the weather warms in the Mediterranean, these numbers are expected to increase over the next several months fostering the potential for yacht operators to encounter a disabled or even sinking vessel carrying hundreds or even thousands of illegal migrants. While an obligation exists to render aid in such a situation, operators should also be aware that this obligation brings with it varied risks, from health and sanitation to vessel security, that may be difficult to mitigate.

To date, much of the work completed on this topic relates to the numerous obligations and consequences migrant vessels have on the commercial shipping industry. This assessment will discuss the aforementioned risks while taking a closer look at patterns of maritime migrations in the Mediterranean in order to empower owners and operators of yachts with knowledge to prepare themselves, crews, and vessels appropriately, should a migrant vessel be encountered.

Prepared by: Jason Nygren, Matthew Borie, and Jaime Signoracci

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN MIGRANT FLOWEASTERN MEDITERRANEAN MIGRANT FLOW



Assessment: Mediterranean Migrant Smuggling

Migration by sea is currently the deadliest form of migration with international sources estimating over 3,200 migrant deaths in the Mediterranean alone during 2014. This number is likely to be surpassed in 2015 as the number of migrants seeking illegal entry into EU countries increases.

Methods of Transport: Primary Factor in Deaths The vast majority of migrant boats are old and in disrepair or were not designed to operate for extended periods of time off shore; most would not otherwise be considered seaworthy. The vessels are almost always overloaded and rarely carry the necessary safety equipment; ships designed to accommodate a few dozen crew members are often filled with hundreds or even thousands of migrants. Once in open water, normal weather patterns and sea conditions are often enough to quickly overcome these vessels, apart from poor weather conditions.

Fishing vessel used for human trafficking circa 2014. Vessel was overloaded, adrift, and listing when authorities arrived. Smugglers

abandoned the ship before authorities arrived.

MIGRANT VESSELS

Often purchased as cheaply as possible by human traffickers with little thought of seaworthiness.

Many are sent out by traffickers knowing they are unable to reach land; most abandon the vessel and the migrants aboard once the vessel is disabled, authorities are spotted, or when out of sight of land.

Usually overloaded with hundreds and sometimes thousands of migrants; personal floatation devices are rare.

Pregnant women and young children are common; many migrants cannot swim.

Unsanitary facilities, disease, seasickness, and a lack of food, water, and medical supplies are often a reality; many migrants are from countries with high risk of communicable disease transmission.

Poor Sanitation and Spread of Communicable Diseases

The vast majority of migrants originate from countries in Africa and the Middle East at high risk for the transmission of communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and Ebola. On a crowded vessel with minimal sanitation facilities, the risk of transmission among the occupants is significantly higher. Furthermore, this also presents a danger to the crew of any vessel rendering assistance to a migrant ship that is not properly equipped or trained to handle quarantine procedures.

Points of Departure and Destinations Although embarkation and disembarkation locations have changed in relation to controls and new conflict, the central Mediterranean passage serves as the popular entry point to Europe. For example, in 2010, the total illegal border crossings along this route were only 4,500. From January through March 2011, more than 20,000 Tunisians attempted to cross the Mediterranean. In 2011, with the start of the Arab Spring and uprisings in Egypt and Syria, numbers climbed to over 60,000. Since that time, Syrian and Eritrean migrants alone have surpassed these numbers.

Deteriorating security environments in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan are significant contributing factors to the Mediterranean migrant influx.

EU member states hardest hit by the economic crisis—Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain—have also served as the main points of entry for migrants and refugees due to their proximity to the Mediterranean basin and North African coast. A UN refugee agency found that 218,000 migrants reached Europe by the Mediterranean Sea in 2014, of whom 140,000 landed in Italy. Approximately 3,500 people died while attempting to make the crossing from North Africa and 2015 is likely to be even more deadly.

POINTS OF DEPARTURE

Libya

Egypt

POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Italy

Malta Crete

Zumwara • Sirte • Tripoli • Benghazi Tobruk • Misrata • Derna

Matruh • Port Said • Alexandria

Latakia • Tartus • Al-Hamidiyah Baniyas • Ras al Basit

Lampedusa • Pozzallo • Calabria

Syria



Potential Impact to Yachting Crews

As migrant traffic in the Mediterranean increases, yachting crews are more likely to encounter overburdened migrant vessels. The European Union organization Frontex is currently tasked with the primary duty of coordinating the identification and rescue of migrant vessels under Operation Triton. However, Frontex’s resources are limited and a large number of non-military vessels often receive ad hoc taskings by Frontex assigned personnel to assist migrant vessels due to their proximity. Although there is not a documented case of a yacht rescuing migrants, the potential exists, especially in areas located around the narrowest stretches of water between Africa, Syria, and European countries.

The stretch of water between the Tunisian and Libyan coasts and Sicily is the area of highest risk; targeted destinations are Lampedusa, Malta, and Sicily. Similar incidents have occurred in the Aegean and Alboran Seas.

Migrant vessels north of Sicily are rare; most have sunk, been intercepted, or found land prior.

Incidents between migrant and commercial vessels occur regularly.

Islamic State militants have claimed to blend in amongst migrants in order to reach Europe.

Travel Safety Assistance

Review the MedAire Portal and the MedAire Sea to Shore App for the latest information about events that may affect your safety at sea or at port. Check regularly and use the information to make decisions on your cruising profile. Call MedAire for advice or updates before cruising in the vicinity of Libya or the south-western Mediterranean. Call MedAire as often as needed or as your itinerary changes. Unlimited calls to MedAire’s security team are a benefit of comprehensive membership. For non -Comprehensive members, please contact your account manager or our Maritime Security and Travel Safety Director, Andrew Nicholson, at [email protected].

Assistance Contacts

MedAire 24/7: +1 602-281-3310

MedAire Email: [email protected]

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN MIGRANT FLOWWESTERN MEDITERRANEAN MIGRANT FLOW

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

speial report: mediterranean migrant trafficking · refugee agency found that 218,000 migrants...

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